Patriotism to be taught as lesson in Varanasi Madarsas

Lucknow, Mar 17 (UNI) A day after framing fresh guidelines to check the entry of anti-national elements, the madarsas (seminaries) of blast-hit Varanasi today decided to initiate patriotism as a lesson for all students of madarsas.

The chairman of the Coordination Committee of Madarsas, constituted yesterday to monitor the enforcement of the new guidelines, Atiq Ansari told UNI over phone from Varanasi that special classes will be conducted in 11 madarsas of the city to infuse the spirit of ''Indianesss'' among the students.

Mr Ansari, who is also a local scribe, further said ''Kashi ka koi bhi madarsa jab shararat nahi bardasht kar sakta to phir rashtra virodhiyo ko kaise bardasht karega'' (When no madarsa in the city can tolerate mischiefs, how can it even dream of brooking anti-nationals).

He further said special classes at least once a week will be held in all madarsas where students will be infused with patriotic fervour and determination to serve India till the last gasp.

The newly-formed coordination committe is also working upon utilising the services of students in madarsas, particularly those which have hostel facilities, to stop the ingress of anti-national forces.

''Besides the new guidelines on admitting new students, we are working on making students our resources to curb the entry of anti-national elements in madarsas,'' he added.

Mr Ansari informed that a seminar will be organised at Jamia Islamia Madarsa either on March 26 next or April two next against terrorism.

The seminar to feature gurus from all religions in the city will be attended among by Muti-e-Banaras Maulana Abdul Batin, supreme Muslim cleric of Varanasi, and Sankatmochan temple Mahant (Prof) Virbhadra Mishra.

''We aim to make it clear that whether or not fatwas (eddicts) are issued by different Muslim clerics, Islam is against terrorism and communalism, but is all for patriotism,'' Mr Ansari added.

He said such seminars will be organised at regular intervals in all major madarsas of the city.

UNI ARS AK KN1606